A NATIONWIDE survey has revealed that Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council is one of the worst in the country for customer satisfaction.

A research project undertaken by the local government watchdog the Audit Commission found that of 238 borough councils surveyed, Crewe and Nantwich came in at 216th position in terms of satisfaction for customers using the council's services.

The league table shows that public satisfaction with the council has fallen by 8% from 53% in 2004, and it now ranks as the worst in Cheshire behind Congleton, Vale Royal, Chester, Ellesmere Port and Macclesfield.

Labour group leader, Cllr Steve Hogben said the news would be a blow to the leading Tory group's campaign to save the borough in the face of Government plans to axe the authority in favour of a single-tier Cheshire.

He said: 'Lately the Tory administration has been spending money on white elephants and a campaign for self-preservation.

'It should be investing in and improving front line services.'

David Marren, council executive director of direct services, said: 'It's something that does concern us and we have set ourselves targets that by the next year the satisfaction rate will go up to 65%.

'But if you look at the fact that in a recent poll 85% of people said they wanted to keep the council, the satisfaction level does not seem to reflect the quality of services.'